After the meeting, Anakin returned to his apartment and found Mara studying hyperspace mathematics. "I hate this fodder." Mara threw her holopad across the room, very nearly hitting Anakin. He stopped it in mid-air and floated it back to Mara.
"Mm, having problems my padawan?"
"No, master; just frustrated." Mara sighed.
"Mm, hyperspace math, tough course; but well worth the effort."
"Why do we have to learn this? I mean really that's why we have computers."
"Suppose the computer fails?" Anakin replied.
"What are the chances of that, master?" Mara sighed heavily.
"In a battle? The chances are incredibly high."
"That's why we have droids."
"Suppose your droid gets hit?" Anakin smiled.
Mara rolled her eyes and sighed deeply. "Well I just won't get into any dogfights with a fighter and I'll be fine."
"A Jedi must be well-rounded; a good pilot, healer, negotiator, lightsaber duelist, ability to protect others from harm, patient, kind."
"Okay, Master Skywalker I get your point." Mara sighed.
"Do you need help with the hyperspace math?"
"Yes."
Anakin pulled up a chair and sat with Mara to help her. "What did you make in math and science, Master?"
"Mostly A's."
"What was your worst subject?"
"Patience and meditation."
"Seriously!"
"I'm being quite serious, my padawan."
"Why did you find it so hard to mediate? You do it all the time, now. Matter of fact when you don't, you get grumpy."
"I was always on the go; I always wanted to be doing something, I couldn't stand to be idle and I didn't have patience to meditate. I was always modifying something or pulling pranks; sometimes they went hand and hand."
"Why did you prank on Master Windu so much?"
"I felt he needed to lighten up; it wasn't until later that I discovered that he really enjoyed the attention, even though he was most creative in his punishments."
Mara shook her head and was grateful to Anakin's assistance in her homework. He was able to break it down for her and give her mnemonic devices to help her learn the different mathematical formulas. After completing her homework, she and Anakin went to the sparring room to duel. Mara and Anakin sat across from each other and meditated first as was routine. Mara worked on her defense as Anakin came at her as her aggressor; as always the case she soon found herself flat on her back with his lightsaber at her throat. He helped her up and they started again; she was improving at least in time wise, but she always felt that her master was toying with her too.
"Master, are you playing with me or are you giving me all that you have?"
"Neither." Anakin shut off his lightsaber, hooking on his belt he activated a droid and watched as Mara attempted to block the bolts coming out. "Shut off your lightsaber for a moment. We need to work on the placement of your feet."
Mara was getting better at her fighting but every victory came through tough work on both Anakin and herself. It wasn't easy and he made it tough on her, so that she could properly defend herself in a crisis.
After the training session, they retired to the apartment. Mara showered and went into the living room she saw Anakin talking to Padmé.
"When do you think you'll be home, Ani?"
"Mm, tough to say; we might have a mission to Vjun."
"Why?"
"There is a high level of Sith holocrons and dark energy surrounding the planet, making the villagers insane."
"You're going? No! You can't."
"Padmé, calm down; first of all I won't be going alone, and we have to help them."
"Who's going with you?"
"Master Kenobi, Master Tiin."
"Are you taking your son and padawan there?"
"It hasn't been decided yet. Mara might go and another senior padawan."
"Luke's too young." Padmé replied.
"It isn't up to you, dearest. It's up to the Jedi council."
"Bah! You are on the council would you send Luke?"
"Probably, if he's going to be a Jedi he needs to go on missions to learn."
"I don't like it, Ani." Padmé angrily replied.
"I can tell, angel."
"I love you so much, Anakin. I don't want to lose you or our son."
"You won't, I promise; Luke will be just fine, you'll see."
"On a happier note, Han has been studying for the pilot's exam."
Mara jumped in on the conversation, "Tell nerf-herder to study hyperspace mathematics!"
"Hey! I heard that, Jade!" Han came to the screen.
"Hi, nerf-herder."
"Jade; why are you studying piloting? You are a girl!"
"Hey! So what? I bet I could fly circles around your precious Falcon any day!"
"One day we will have to test that theory, Jade!"
"Bring it on, Solo!"
"Children, please!" Padmé exasperatedly stated.
"Good night, Mara Jade." Anakin dismissed her.
"Good night, Miss Padmé."
"Good night dearest."
"Good night, nerf-herder!"
"Good night, Jaded." Han had come up with a new nickname for Mara. She scowled at him and left the room. Anakin and Padmé laughed at both Mara and Han's antics.
"Those two love bantering back and forth."
"Yes, well its getting late, milady."
"I love you, Anakin."
"And I you, Angel."
Four o'clock Anakin heard his commlink beeping madly. He answered it, "Hello?"
"Anakin, sorry to awaken you; I need your help, meet me in the lower levels."
"What's going on, Obi?"
"Luke is missing; apparently he left our quarters in the middle of the night."
Anakin stumbled out of bed and said, "I'll be there in fifteen minutes." Anakin quickly showered and dressed in his dark Jedi clothing and pulled his black cloak on, he left a note for Mara. Luke heard about how Count Dooku had cut off his father's arm and he wanted to confront the ex-Sith Lord himself. The guard saw a young padawan approach him, "You are too young to be down here, padawan. Where's your master?"
"He's sleeping; I must talk to him."
"Count Dooku is resting."
"I don't care! Wake him up! He cut off my father's arm."
"Are you Anakin's boy?"
"Yes!"
Count Dooku heard the commotion and opened his black eyes, "Guard let the boy inside, its okay." Luke heard a rich cultured voice called.
"Okay, boy it's your backside on the line, not mine." The guard opened the door and left it open as he stood in the doorway. Count Dooku felt Luke's intense anger; just like a chip off the old block. "You must be Anakin's son; beware boy, anger is of the dark side."
Anakin felt his son's anger instantly it hit him like a thunderbolt, he nearly doubled over.
"What's got Luke so riled up?" Obi-Wan also noting his padawan's anger.
"Count Dooku!" Anakin yelled and ran with Obi-Wan following him.
Count Dooku stood to his six four height and easily towered over Luke.
"You think I'm scared of you?"
"No, obviously you are very angry with me."
"Damn right! You had no right to hurt my father!"
"You are right of course." Count Dooku replied, trying to defuse the situation.
"Don't speak down to me!" Luke yelled.
"You really need to relax, young one. Your anger and vengeance will be your own undoing."
Anakin and Obi-Wan arrived to find Luke debating with Count Dooku.
"Son! You will stop this right now! I do not need a padawan-learner defending me; I've done well all of these years without your help."
"He took your arm!"
"Yes, and I returned the favor when I cut off his sword hand; let go of your anger it will only serve the dark side and enslave you." Obi-Wan approached Luke and gently lifted him. Luke felt guilty and started to cry as he realized that his master and father were right.
"I'm so sorry, Count Dooku." Luke cried.
"There's nothing to be sorry for, Luke." Count Dooku replied.
"Come on Luke, let's go back to bed, it's still early."
Anakin pulled up a chair and decided to talk to Count Dooku. He told him about the council meeting and that decision would be forthcoming.
Anakin returned to his quarters and Mara Jade was eating breakfast, "Good morning, Mara."
"Morning, master; I made a pot of coffee for you."
"Thanks."
"Is Luke okay?" Mara asked tentatively, aware of her master's mood.
"Yes, he has a lot of courage."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing, don't you have to get to class?"
Mara raised an eyebrow and looked at the chrono-clock on the wall.
"Yes, Master."
"Good luck on your math test."
"Thanks; but in my experience luck has nothing to do with it." Mara laughed quoting Obi-Wan.
"You've been hanging around Obi-Wan too much, my young apprentice." Anakin laughed.
"See you later, master." Mara briefly hugged him and grabbed her knapsack.
Anakin finished his cup of coffee and left to report to the Jedi Council for the decision of Count Dooku's fate.
"Why is it that Kenobi and Skywalker are always late for our meetings? They've never been on time." Mace Windu observed.
"Right you are, Mace." Master Gallia agreed.
"It seems that Skywalker is only on time if there is a battle to be fought."
"Or what he has dubbed aggressive negotiations." Master Mundi replied.
"Anakin, why are we always late for council meetings?" Obi-Wan asked as they were running towards the council room.
"I don't know master, maybe it's the will of the Force." Anakin sarcastically replied.
"I never used to be late before I took you on as my padawan."
"Yes, I brought pure chaos to your orderly disciplined Jedi life. I've succeeded in my goal." Anakin replied happily.
"More than you'll ever know, Anakin Skywalker." Obi-Wan laughed.
The two brothers looked at each other and started to laugh. They entered the chamber still laughing as the Jedi council shook their heads and sighed heavily.
"Late again you are!" Yoda admonished.
"Sorry, masters." Skywalker and Kenobi took their respective seats.
"The matter of Count Dooku is now ready to be discussed."
"I still don't trust him. If he is to go he needs to have a master look after him." Master Gallia remarked.
"Mm, I'll do it." Master Tiin stated.
"Thanks, Master Tiin." Anakin replied.
"Now who else should we send?" Master Mundi inquired.
"Master Kenobi should accompany Master Skywalker and their respective padawans." Mace Windu stated.
"Yes, wise this is." Yoda replied.
"I have another recommendation, Masters." Anakin announced.
"Who?"
"Senior Padawan Learner, Whie."
"Mm, could be a final trial for him." Master Gallia replied.
"Yes, has been working with Count Dooku he has." Yoda replied.
"Okay so we have a team going to Vjun, now let's discuss specifics." Anakin acknowledged.
After everything was settled for the mission and the meeting ended, Anakin went to Count Dooku's cell and informed him of the council's decision.
"Thank you Master Skywalker, I don't know how to say this without sounding condescending, I'm proud of you."
"Thank you sir; I hope you realize that you will have a Jedi Master looking out for you."
"Who is this lucky Master?"
"Master Tiin."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me." Count Dooku sighed deeply.
"The rest of the team consists of me, my padawan Mara Jade; Obi-Wan and padawan Luke; and senior padawan Whie."
"Whie is very familiar of the mansion as it was once owned by his family."
"Good."
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, be ready by 0500 hours."
"Thanks again Anakin for allowing me to have a second chance."
Anakin bowed and left the chamber; Yoda was entering as Anakin was leaving.
"Master Yoda."
"Good afternoon, Master Skywalker. Come to see my old padawan I have."
"Have fun, I'll see you later." Anakin left and went to the gardens to meditate, it was ironic that now as he has grown older that he enjoys slowing down and just being still.
Keri was restless and she couldn't get to sleep, normally she would pull on her cloak and make her way down to the gardens, even though she was only four. The gardens weren't that far away from the crèche. She silently crawled out of bed and set up her pillows to make the bed look occupied.
"Keri?" Brandon saw her pulling her hood over her head.
"Shh, Brandon, go back to sleep."
"You're gonna get into trouble again, remember what Master Yoda said."
"Yes, I know Brandon." Keri quietly sneaked out of the large room and made her way down to the gardens. She went near the pool of water, until she saw Master Skywalker sitting there meditating. Keri quickly hid behind the large tree, hoping he didn't see her. He looked so peaceful and gentle; she knelt down by the tree and continued to watch him. Anakin of course knew that he was being watched and that it was Keri; the youngling that was not supposed to be in here, it was past her bedtime.
"You can come out now, Keri." Anakin whispered.
An audible gasp escaped the little girl's throat and she came into the light and removed her hood from her head.
"What are you doing out of bed young one?"
"Couldn't sleep, Master Skywalker."
"Come here." Anakin patted his knee. Keri came forward and allowed herself to be pulled into an embrace.
"You're going away aren't you?"
"Yes, I'll be gone for a little while, but when I return we will work on your lightsaber skills okay?"
"Okay. Master Skywalker?"
"Mm?"
"You give great hugs." Keri hugged him tighter and he stood on his feet.
"Let's get you back to bed, okay?"
"Yea, I just hope Master Yoda doesn't know I'm gone."
Anakin pulled up her hood and his and stealthily walked back to the crèche, Keri thought it was fun; they even passed two masters completely oblivious. Anakin tucked the youngling into bed and gently kissed her on the cheek. Just as Anakin walked out Master Yoda was standing there swinging his cane, "Saying good night to younglings are you?"
"Don't be too hard on them, Master." Anakin replied.
"No only hard on former padawan's who know better than to help younglings sneak out." Yoda cracked his cane on Anakin's knee.
"Ow! Master Yoda!"
"Prefer I aim higher?"
"No, good night Master."
Anakin retired to his quarters and Mara Jade was already in bed asleep. She had a bag already packed and set aside. The trip would be a challenge for all concerned, but in particular the younglings and Count Dooku. Anakin sighed deeply and sent his anxieties into the Force and was able to be calm enough to fall asleep.
Author's note:Thank you for all the generous reviews, the next few chapters are probably going to deal with the Vjun mission and I will then work on Padmé/Anakin's relationship some more and include Han Solo. There will be more interaction between Obi-Wan and Anakin in the next chapters and I hope my readers continue to be pleased with the direction this story is headed. Thanks again for all your reviews and suggestions.—DarthGladiator45